Glove with impact resistant dorsal structure

ABSTRACT

A glove includes a glove body in a shape of a hand and having a palm side and a dorsal side opposite the palm side. A protective structure is located on the dorsal side. The protective structure includes multiple openings with thermoplastic boundary segments and surrounding thermoplastic main segments that provided for a two-stage impact configuration.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates generally to work gloves and, more specifically, to gloves to protect the knuckle areas of the dorsal side of the hand from impact.

BACKGROUND

Glove construction for protection of the human hand is well known. A variety of protective features for the knuckle region of the hand are also known. For example, gloves that incorporate a molded thermoplastic rubber protectant applied to the knuckle and/or finger region are known. A variety of configurations of such thermoplastic rubber protective structures are known, and improved configurations are continually sought.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a glove includes a glove body in a shape of a hand and having a palm side and a dorsal side opposite the palm side. A protective structure is located on the dorsal side. The protective structure includes multiple openings with thermoplastic boundary segments and surrounding thermoplastic main segments that provided for a two-stage impact configuration.

The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a dorsal side top plan view of a glove;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are perspective views of the protective structure region of the glove;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged top plan view of the protective structure;

FIG. 4A is a cross-section along line A-A of FIG. 2 ;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged side perspective view of the protective structure; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic side-elevation; and

FIG. 7 is a cross-section showing partial compression.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1 , a glove 10 includes a glove body 12 in a shape of a hand (e.g., shaped to receive a hand therein) and having a palm side 14 and a dorsal side 16 opposite the palm side. A protective structure 20 is located on the dorsal side and is formed by a thermoplastic rubber element 22 secured on the dorsal side. The thermoplastic rubber element 22 includes a base segment 22 a and a plurality of elongated finger segments 22 b extending from the base segment. The base segment 22 a is located across a base knuckle region of the dorsal side 16 and each finger segment 22 b extends along a respective finger region of the dorsal side to a top knuckle region of the finger segment.

Each finger segment 22 b includes a plurality of through openings 24 through which a material 26 forming the glove body is exposed. The plurality of through openings 24 of each finger segment are spaced apart along a length of the finger segment. At least one through opening, here multiple through openings, of each finger segment is/are bounded, at least in part, by a thermoplastic boundary segment 22 c and each thermoplastic boundary segment 22 c is bounded, at least in part, by a surrounding thermoplastic main segment 22 d. The combination of the thermoplastic boundary segments 22 c and surrounding thermoplastic main segments 22 d provides for a two-stage impact configuration. In particular, each thermoplastic boundary segment 22 c is (i) shaped to be more flexible than the surrounding thermoplastic main segment 22 d and/or (ii) dimensioned to be more flexible than the surrounding thermoplastic main segment and/or (iii) comprised of a material that is more flexible than a material of the surrounding thermoplastic main segment.

The protective structure 20 is a separate unit that is connected to the material 26 of the dorsal side 16 of the glove body, such as by stitching or adhesive.

Each thermoplastic boundary segment 22 c has at least one portion 30 that extends to a height that is higher than a height of all immediately adjacent portions of the surrounding thermoplastic main segment 22 d, where each height is measured in a direction perpendicularly away from the dorsal side of the glove (e.g., in a direction out of the page in FIG. 1 ).

For each thermoplastic boundary segment, a recess 32 is formed in the thermoplastic rubber element at least between an upper portion of the thermoplastic boundary segment 22 c and an upper portion of the surrounding thermoplastic main segment 22 d. The surrounding thermoplastic main segment 22 d has a main thickness TM, and the recess 30 extends downward a depth d1 for at least 40% of the main thickness (e.g., at least 50% of the main thickness). The recess provides increased flexibility of the thermoplastic boundary segment 22 c relative to the thermoplastic main segment 22 d.

In embodiment, a lower portion of each thermoplastic boundary segment 22 c is bonded to a lower portion of the surrounding thermoplastic main segment 22. More specifically, the lower portion of each thermoplastic boundary segment 22 c may be bonded to the lower portion of the surrounding thermoplastic main segment 22 d by co-molding. The materials used for each thermoplastic boundary segment 22 c and the surrounding thermoplastic main segments 22 d may be identical. However, in other embodiments, the composition of the thermoplastic boundary segments 22 c may be different than that of the thermoplastic main segments 22 d, to enhance the differential flexibility of the thermoplastic boundary segments.

Here, the higher portions 30 are configured as a peak formed by a first upwardly angled top edge 30 a and a second upwardly angled top edge 30 b, providing a generally triangular-shape in side view. In addition, the peaks are further formed by a first side wall 30 c and a second side wall 30 d that angle toward each other when moving upward to the peak. This configuration provides for increasing flexibility of the portions 30 along the height of the portions 30. FIG. 4A shows a cross-section along A-A of FIG. 4 , showing the bonding regions 31 between the boundary segment 22 c and the main segment 22 d.

Thus, the portions 30 form multiple sections that are raised relative to the surrounding thermoplastic main segment 22 d such that a planar object moving toward the dorsal side of the glove will impact one or more of such raised sections prior to impacting the surrounding thermoplastic main segment, per FIG. 6 , providing the two-stage impact feature. FIG. 7 shows exemplary deflection of a portion 30 during an initial impact. Boundary segments 22 c (stage 1) are thus configured as the first point of contact to absorb light impact and abrasions, protecting the integrity of main segments 22 d (e.g., many nicks and abrasions experienced throughout that day, so as to not cause premature wear of portion 22 d). Boundary segments 22 c (stage 1) are also configured to absorb some initial impact, working jointly with segment 22 d, to achieve an overall impact performance level (e.g., such as ANSI Level 2).

In the illustrated embodiment, a perimeter of each through opening 24 is Y-shaped. This shape has been found particularly advantageous to facilitate glove flex (e.g., when a user makes a fist). However, other opening shapes are possible.

As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the base segment 22 a also include multiple through openings with thermoplastic boundary segments and surrounding thermoplastic main segments similar to that described above for the finger segments. In addition, the thumb portion of the glove may include a separate thermoplastic protective structure with similar openings.

It is to be clearly understood that the above description is intended by way of illustration and example only, is not intended to be taken by way of limitation, and that other changes and modifications are possible. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A glove, comprising: a glove body in a shape of a hand, the glove body having a palm side and a dorsal side opposite the palm side; a protective structure on the dorsal side, the protective structure comprising at least one thermoplastic rubber element secured on the dorsal side, the at least one thermoplastic rubber element comprising a base segment and a plurality of elongated finger segments extending from the base segment; wherein the base segment is located across a base knuckle region of the dorsal side and each finger segment extends along a respective finger region of the dorsal side to a top knuckle region of the finger segment; wherein each finger segment includes a plurality of through openings through which a material forming the glove body is exposed, wherein the plurality of through openings are spaced apart along a length of the finger segment; wherein at least one through opening of each finger segment is bounded, at least in part, by a surrounding thermoplastic boundary segment and each surrounding thermoplastic boundary segment is bounded, at least in part, by a thermoplastic main segment, wherein the thermoplastic boundary segment is: shaped to be more flexible than the surrounding thermoplastic main segment; and/or dimensioned to be more flexible than the surrounding thermoplastic main segment; and/or comprised of a material that is more flexible than a material of the surrounding thermoplastic main segment.
 2. The glove of claim 1, wherein each thermoplastic boundary segment has at least one portion that extends to a height that is higher than a height of all immediately adjacent portions of the surrounding thermoplastic main segment, wherein each height is measured in a direction perpendicularly away from the dorsal side of the glove.
 3. The glove of claim 2, wherein, for each thermoplastic boundary segment, a recess is formed in the thermoplastic rubber element at least between an upper portion of the thermoplastic boundary segment and an upper portion of the surrounding thermoplastic main segment.
 4. The glove of claim 3, wherein, for each thermoplastic boundary segment, the surrounding thermoplastic main segment has a main thickness, and the recess extends downward for at least 40% of the main thickness.
 5. The glove of claim 4, wherein the recess extends downward for at least 50% of the main thickness.
 6. The glove of claim 3, wherein, for each thermoplastic boundary segment, a lower portion of the thermoplastic boundary segment is bonded to a lower portion of the surrounding thermoplastic main segment.
 7. The glove of claim 3, wherein, for each thermoplastic boundary segment, the lower portion of the thermoplastic boundary segment is bonded to the lower portion of the surrounding thermoplastic main segment by co-molding.
 8. The glove of claim 2, wherein, for each thermoplastic boundary segment, the at least one portion is configured as a peak formed by a first upwardly angled top edge and a second upwardly angled top edge.
 9. The glove of claim 8, wherein, for each thermoplastic boundary segment, the peak is further formed by a first side wall and a second side wall that angle toward each other when moving upward to the peak.
 10. The glove of claim 1, wherein a perimeter of each through opening is Y-shaped.
 11. A glove, comprising: a glove body in a shape of a hand, the glove body having a palm side and a dorsal side opposite the palm side; a protective structure on the dorsal side, the protective structure comprising at least one thermoplastic rubber element secured on the dorsal side, the at least one thermoplastic rubber element comprising a base segment and a plurality of elongated finger segments extending from the base segment; wherein the base segment is located across a base knuckle region of the dorsal side and each finger segment extends along a respective finger region of the dorsal side to a top knuckle region of the respective finger segment; wherein each finger segment includes a plurality of through openings through which a material forming the glove body is exposed, wherein the plurality of through openings are spaced apart along a length of the finger segment; wherein at least one through opening of each finger segment is bounded, at least in part, by a thermoplastic boundary segment, wherein each thermoplastic boundary segment is bounded, at least in part, by a surrounding thermoplastic main segment, wherein the thermoplastic boundary segment includes multiple raised sections that are raised relative to the surrounding thermoplastic main segment such that a planar object moving toward the dorsal side of the glove will impact one or more of the raised sections prior to impacting the surrounding thermoplastic main segment.
 12. The glove of claim 11, wherein each thermoplastic boundary segment defines a through opening perimeter that is Y-shaped.
 13. The glove of claim 11, wherein, for each thermoplastic boundary segment, a recess is formed in the thermoplastic rubber element at least between an upper portion of the thermoplastic boundary segment and an upper portion of the surrounding thermoplastic main segment.
 14. The glove of claim 13, wherein, for each thermoplastic boundary segment, the surrounding thermoplastic main segment has a main thickness, and the recess extends downward for at least 40% of the main thickness.
 15. The glove of claim 13, wherein, for each thermoplastic boundary segment, a lower portion of the thermoplastic boundary segment is bonded to a lower portion of the surrounding thermoplastic main segment.
 16. The glove of claim 11, wherein, for each thermoplastic boundary segment, each raised section is configured as a peak formed by a first upwardly angled top edge and a second upwardly angled top edge.
 17. The glove of claim 16, wherein, for each thermoplastic boundary segment, the peak is further formed by a first side wall and a second side wall that angle toward each other when moving upward to the peak.
 18. A glove, comprising: a glove body in a shape of a hand, the glove body having a palm side and a dorsal side opposite the palm side; a protective structure on the dorsal side, the protective structure comprising at least one thermoplastic rubber element secured on the dorsal side, the at least one thermoplastic rubber element comprising a base segment and a plurality of elongated finger segments extending from the base segment; wherein the base segment is located across a base knuckle region of the dorsal side and each finger segment extends along a respective finger region of the dorsal side to a top knuckle region of the respective finger segment; wherein each finger segment includes a plurality of openings, wherein the plurality of openings are spaced apart along a length of the finger segment; wherein at least one opening of each finger segment is bounded, at least in part, by a thermoplastic boundary segment, wherein each thermoplastic boundary segment is bounded, at least in part, by a surrounding thermoplastic main segment, wherein the thermoplastic boundary segment includes multiple raised sections that are raised relative to the surrounding thermoplastic main segment such that a planar object moving toward the dorsal side of the glove will impact one or more of the raised sections prior to impacting the surrounding thermoplastic main segment. 